The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-15

benefit of those who have sheep to shear. in
order that the price OF their wool may he in
creased. They OF course are not reminded
that the farmer who hos no sheep is by this
scheme obi Led, in his purchases Of clothing
and woolen goods, to pay tribute to his fel
low farmer as we'll as to the manufacturer
and merchant; nor is any mention mad. of
the fact that the sheep owners themselves
and their households must wear clothing and
use other articles manufactured from the
wool they sill at tariff prices. and thus as
consumers must return their share of this
increased price to the tradesnan.
THE WOOL QUESTION.
I think it may be fairly assumed that q
large portion of the sheep owned by The
ia mers throughout ths country are found
III small focks numbering from twenty-five
to fifty. The duty on the grade OF mlorted
wool which these sheep yield is ten cents
each pound if of the value o. thirty cents Or
less, and twelve cents if of the valu, of more
than thirty cents. II the liberal estimate of
six pounds be allowed for each fire.e, the
duty thereon would he sixty or seventy-two
cents, ami til my be taken as the u most
enhancement of lis price 10 the flrmer by
reason Of this duty. Eighteen dollars woull
thus represent the increased price of the wool
from twenty-five sheep and SO that from tue
wool of fifty sheep; ana at present values
this addition would amount to about one
third of its price. Il upon its sale the farmer
receives this or a less tariff profit, the wool
leaves his hands charged wi Ii precisely t at
sum, Which in all its changes will ailher. to
it until it reaches the consumer When
r'rufactured into cloth and OF ar
goods and material for use, it's
cost is not only increased to the extent
of the farmers tariff profit, but a further
sum has been aided for the benefit of the
manufacturer under the operation of other
tariff laws. In the meantime the day arrives
when 3 farmer fin it necessary to pur-
chase woolen goods and material to clothe
himself and family for the winter. When
he faces the tradesmen for that purpose he
discovers that he is obliged not only to re-
turn in the way Of increased prices his tariff
profit on the wool he sold, and which then
perhaps lies before him in manufactured
form, but that hs must add a considerable
sum thereto to meet further increase in
cost caused by a tariff duty on the manufac-
ture. Thus in the end he is aroused to the
fact that he has paid upon moderate pur-
chase, as result of the tariff scheme, which
when he sold his wool seemed so profita lie,
an increase in price more than sufficient to
sweep away all the karif profit he received
upon the wool he produced and sold.
When the number of farmers engaged in
wool raising is compared with oil the farm
ers in the country, and the Small proportion
they bear to our population is considered;
when it is made apparent that, i'll the case OF
large part of those who own sheep, the
benefit of the pres Mt tariff on wool is illu-
sorry; and, above all, when it must be con-
coded that the increase of the cost of living
caused by such tariff becomes burden upon
those with moderate means anil the ,oor,
the employed and unemployed, the sick anl
well and the young and old, and that it con-
stitutes a tax which, with relentless grasp,
is fastened upon the clothing of every man,
woman and child in the land, reasons are
suggested why the removal or reduction of
this duty should be included in a revision of
our tariff laws
INCREASED COST OF HOME MANUFACTURES.
In speaking of the increas d cost to the
consumer Of our home manufactures, result
ing from duty laid upon import d articl
of the Same description, the fact is not over
looked that competition among our domestic
producers sometimes has the effect of keep
ing .he price of their products below the
highest limit allowed by such duty. But it
is notorious that this competition is too often
stranSled by combnato quit prevalent a.
this time. and frequ ,ntly called trusts, which
have for their object the regulation of the
supply and price Of commodities mad, and
sold by members of the combination. The
people can hardly hope for any considera-
ton in the operation of these selfish SCHEMES
If, however, in the absencc of such combi
nation, healthy and free competition re-
duces the price of any particular dutiable
article Of home production below the limit
which it might otherwise reach under our
tariff laws, and if, with such reduced price,
its manufacture continues to thrive, it is en-
tirely evident that one thing has been dis
covered which should be carefully scruti-
nlZed in an effort to reduce taxation.
The necessity of combination to maintain
the price Of any commodity to the tariff
point furnishes proof that some one is will
ing to accept lower prices for such commo-
dity and that such prices are remunerative.
and lower prices produced by competition
prove the same thing. Thus where either OF
these conditions exist a case would seem tc
be presented for an easy reduction Of taxa
tion.
The considerations which have been pre-
sented touching our tariff laws are intended
only to enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues of the sovernme Mt
be prevented by thu red uction of our Gus
toms duties, and, at the s;;rle time, to em-
phasize a suggestion that in accomplishing
this purpose, we may discharge a double
duty to our people by granting to them a
measure of relief from tariff taxation in
quarters where it is most needed and from
sources where it can be most fairly and justly
accorded.
Nor can the presentation made of such
he, with any degree of fair
ness, regarded as evidence of unfriendliness
toward our manufacturing interests, or of
any lack Of appreciation of th,ir value and
Importance.
MANUFACTURERS CRGED TO COOPERATE.
These interests constitute a leading and
most substantial element Of our national
greatness and furnish the proud proof Of our
progress But il in the emergency
that presses upon US our manufacturers are
asked to surrender something for the public
good and to avert dis lst. .r, their patriotism,
as we'll as grateful recognition nf advan-
Lagos already afforded, should lead them tc
willing cooperation. No demand is made
that they shall forego all the benefits of gov
regard, bC: they cannot fail to be
admonishsd of their duty, as well rs their
enlightened self interest AMI safety, when
they are reminded of the fact that financial
panic and collapse, to which the present con-
iition tends, afford no greater shelter or pro
lection to our manufacturers than tn our
other important enterprises. Opportunity
for safe, careful and deliberate reform is
now offered; and none of Us should be un-
mindful Of a time when an abused and irr;-
lated psople, needless OF thcss who have rs
sisted timely and reasonable relief. may
insist upon a radical and sweeping rectiica-
tion of their yEronsys